The Gambia has not yet endorsed the Political Declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. However, it has acknowledged the harm caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.1
Statements and positions
The Gambia has aligned with other states to deliver statements that have mentioned the issue of explosive weapons in populated areas. At the 2021 CCW meeting, the African Group, of which the Gambia is a member, reiterated its deep concern for the continued threats posed by landmines, explosive remnants of war and Improvised Explosive Devices, “including the devastating consequences they have on civilians, post-conflict reconstruction, integration efforts and socio-economic development”, as set out in a communique from the Peace and Security Council of the African Union.2
At the UN General Assembly First Committee in 2023, the Non-Aligned Movement, of which The Gambia is a member, condemned the indiscriminate shelling and bombing of Palestinian civilian areas.3
As a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, The Gambia aligned with World Humanitarian Summit Core Commitments to ‘Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity’ in May 2016, including the commitment “to promote and enhance the protection of civilians and civilian objects, especially in the conduct of hostilities, for instance by working to prevent civilian harm resulting from the use of wide-area explosive weapons in populated areas, and by sparing civilian infrastructure from military use in the conduct of military operations.”4